Security ramped up at Newcastle airport

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Security has been ramped up at Newcastle Airport and throughout the country, after an alleged terror plot was foiled in Sydney over the weekend.

Australian Federal Police swooped on five properties in Sydney suburbs of Surry Hills, Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl on Saturday afternoon. Four people, two father and sons, were arrested for allegedly plotting to kill hundreds of people on a plane using a homemade bomb.

A number of items were seized during the search including a meat grinder which is thought to be planned to be used as a part of a bomb.

Travellers were warned overnight security would be stepped up at airports throughout Australia and to allow additional travel time to get through the extra measures.

A spokesperson for Newcastle Airport said they are following authorities instructions and have additional security measures in place at screening points. They say there's no need to arrive hours earlier for flights, but rather just 30 minutes.

Labor Fights Back Against Independents Promise to Cap Rates

BY TYLER FARDELL

With the September elections right around the corner, the Newcastle Independents have announced their first major policy they would introduce if they won the election.

They've promised to cap council rates at the consumer price index (CPI), undoing Labor's decision two years ago to increase rates by 46.9%.

It's a move which would save ratepayers an estimated $350 dollars over the next two years, while still enabling Council to maintain its capital expenditure program at record levels.

Lord Mayoral candidate for the Independents Kath Elliott has stated that Council failed to spend the money associated with the rate rise this year, and she's confident that Council is hiding a predicted surplus of $15 million dollars.

"It's unfair that Labor has imposed such a large tax on ratepayers", she said.

"This shows a complete disregard by Labor for the hardships that ratepayers face".

However, Labor councillors have hit back at the Independents, saying Council is in the best shape of its life and reducing rates to the CPI would stop the delivery of every project and service upgrade undertaken by Council.

Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn has stated the Independents plan is a backwards step.

"By undoing all the hard work and decisions that we have made to deliver long-term financial sustainability, the Lib-dependents plan will send us back down the road to insolvency", he said.

They've backed up the effectiveness of the introduction of the rate rise by reminding residents that in 2015, IPART certified Newcastle Council as being 'financially fit for the future', largely due to the increased rates.

Meanwhile, Labor Councillor Declan Clausen has hit back against the claims of surplus money being wasted.

"Surpluses are invested back into the community- Council isn't a for-profit organisation", he said. "These funds are budgeted to deliver the infrastructure upgrades our community desires".

Labor Councillors say work on many projects around Newcastle including
Bathers Way may be stopped if rates were lowered.
source; Newcastle Herald

Missing Persons Week: renewed calls to find Zac Barnes

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Missing Persons Week has kicked off in NSW and the case of missing Thornton man Zac Barnes is a key part of the campaign.

NSW Police are renewing calls for any information on the now 19-year-old who disappeared into bushland at the intersection of Tripp Close and Haussman Drive on Sunday 13th November last year.

Police believe he may have also attended a house nearby in the area.

Zac's mother Karen has told NBN she's losing hope of ever seeing her son again.

"We never thought that he was never coming home but as we get to nine months it's like he's possibly never coming home."

Zac is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 190cmtall, with short brown hair, a receding hairline and of a large build. He was last seen wearing a faded tie-dye blue singlet, dark blue board shorts and work boots.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing Persons Week is an annual campaign which will this year run until next Saturday (5 August 2017) and the theme for this year is 'Still waiting for you to come'

The families of missing persons still waiting for their loved ones to come home being used in this weeks campaign include 21-year-old Sevak Simonian from Belrose on Sydney's Northern Beaches, 15-year-old Stephen Turvey from Macquarie Fields and 52-year-old Kathleen Lidden from Bowral.

The campaign aims to highlight the high number of people reporting missing to police each year and the impact on family and friends following the disappearance of a loved one.

Man charged over fatal crash in Mayfield

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face Newcastle Local Court in August after he was charged over the fatal crash on Industrial Drive last Monday.

Just before 11:30am (Monday 24 July 2017), emergency services were called to the intersection of Industrial Drive and Tourle Street in Mayfield following reports a Holden Astra and a Ford Territory had collided.

A 65-year-old woman, the passenger in the Holden tragically died at the scene while both the driver of the Holden and the Ford were taken to John Hunter Hospital in stable conditions for further treatment.

Following investigations from the Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit the 31-year-old driver of the Ford attended Maitland Police Station on Saturday (29 July 2017) where he was arrested.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death; cause bodily harm by misconduct; negligent driving occasioning death; negligent driving; and proceed through red traffic light.

He was conditionally bailed to appear in court on Thursday 24th August 2017.

Scene of the accident last Monday Image Tyson Cottrill NBN News

Body found at Nobbys

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for information after a body was discovered at Newcastle yesterday morning.

Emergency services were called to Nobbys Break wall at about 11:20am following reports of a concern for welfare.

Newcastle officers located the body of a Caucasian male at the scene.

At this stage police say there's nothing to suggest the man's death is suspicious, however, the body will be forensically examined and subject to a post-mortem to determine a cause of death.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Bylong coal mine project could devastate Hunter environment

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Plans for the new Bylong Coal Project between Denman and Mudgee have been dealt yet another blow with the Planning Assessment Commission (PCA) slamming the project.

The PAC report on the KEPCO coal mine project slammed it for gaps in evidence and high levels of uncertainty, particularly about the potential cumulative impacts on the Bylong Valley and the community. The report also flagged numerous issues with water access, protection of surrounding agriculture and incomplete information.

There are particular concerns for the Hunter Valley from the Lock the Gate Alliance who say the scathing review revealed the Bylong coal project would directly open cut rich farmland in the Hunter and severely impact Tarwyn Park.

NSW Greens energy and resources spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham says the mine will destroy ecologically and environmentally important areas throughout the Hunter and the state.

"The area must be protected for its agriculture and tourism value plus its environmental values in an age of climate change the greens do not believe we should be opening up new coal mines in NSW."

If approved the mine will extract a total of 124 million tonnes, roughly 6.5 million each year, from both open cut operations and underground. Jeremy Buckingham is urging the government to reconsider the mine and realise just how much it will wreck the Bylong Valley, its community and the surrounds.

"The Bylong Valley must be protected, it's important, ecological,, agricultural, and our tourism assets will be destroyed by this stupid coal mine. We have major climate change and we do not need to be opening coal mines, the Greens are calling on the government to cancel their exploration licence  and give the people, the Bylong Valley and NSW certainty that that region will be protected from destructive coal mining."

Science and Engineering Challenge begins today.

BY DANIELLE RIES.

Today the annual Science and Engineering Challenge gets underway at the University of Newcastle with over 1200 students going head to head in the competition.

Year 9 and 10 students from across 42 Hunter high schools will be competing in a series of events including designing bridges and building their own water turbines.

The students will be competing to win the right to compete in the state final in later August and then have a shot at the national final.

Team Leader for the Science and Engineering Challenge Chris Hendry says the challenge is a good way to get students involved.

"The local science and engineering challenge is on right now. It started this morning at 9:30am with 6 local schools coming together and competing against each other in a whole bunch of design and build activities, crticial thinking activities to produce a winner that will show the rest of us what they have been doing today and hopeully theyll be able to come through to the state finals."

He also says this challenge gives students an opportunity to expand their learning.

"It's an opportunity for them to show off their skills in both of the two disciplines, but in the most important way, what they do is get to have a hands on experience with something that might be a little bit outside of what they gain access to on your general school day in the classroom."

Credit- University of Newcastle Website.

Leading Team for Newcastle Greens

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The Newcastle Greens are announcing their leading team for the 2017 September local elections, putting forward Therese Doyle as their Lord Mayoral candidate.

Ms. Doyle will also re-contest her position as councillor of Ward 2, with Dr. John Mackenzie standing as councillor of Ward 1.

If elected, the Lord Mayoral candidate plans to tackle the issues of poor planning and state interference which led to the loss of the city’s rail-line and the hosting of the V8 Supercars race in a residential area.

Therese Doyle says there’s much to be done in Newcastle and some of the issues can only be addressed by the Greens.

Newcastle Greens Lord Mayoral candidate
Therese Doyle [Image: Newcastle Herald]

“I would use the influence of the Lord Mayoral’s position to ensure that the Newcastle community, [and] its elected council is properly consulted before decisions are made by the state government such as the removal of our railway service long before they happen.”

She says the ‘lack of planning’ around these issues is something she’d like to address as Lord Mayor.

“The lack of planning about what’s going [on], how we’re going to protect the health and amenity of people who live in that area - that’s where we need much improved consultation [and] communication between council and the people of Newcastle.”

The remainder of the Greens leading team including candidates for Wards 3 and 4 will soon be announced.

Here come Maitland's Liberal candidates...

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

With local government elections drawing nearer, the Maitland Liberals have settled on their team to contest the upcoming council elections.

The party is promising to get back to the basics of local government - roads, rates and rubbish - with a major focus on improving local roads and fixing traffic snarls.

Among the candidates is East Ward candidate Kanchan Ranadive who will become the first Indian National to stand for Maitland Council. The Central Ward candidate is Sally Halliday, Mitchell Griffin is the North Ward candidate and finally, the West Ward candidate is Ben Mitchell.

Mayoral candidate Bob Geoghegan says their East Ward candidate Kanchan Ranadive is particularly concerned about the recent spate of vandalism at local reserves and traffic congestion on Chisholm Drive.

"We've got a small new team, two women two men and interestingly for the first time that I can recall an Indian born candidate in the local government elections in the Maitland area anyway."

Bob Geoghan says on a whole, the Liberal team want to get back to basics.

"Council always has to focus on the main functions of council which are roads, rates and rubbish with the roads in Maitland there are certainly issues with roads, with regards to rates I think we have to always be very conscious of keeping the cost of living down particularly in this era of high electricity prices."

Elderly Woman Overcome By Smoke In Rutherford Unit Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly woman has been treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in her Rutherford unit last night.

Fire crews were called to a block of 8 units on Churchill Drive just after 8.30 and had to force their way into one of the apartments to rescue the woman.

They found a fire in the kitchen area - it's taken about an hour-and-a-half to extinguish and mop up the fire, which caused damage to 20 per cent of the unit - the rest of apartment was damaged by smoke and water.

Adjoining units were not damaged in the blaze.

Woman Charged Over Road Rage Incident at Lake Munmorah

BY IAN CROUCH

A Newcastle woman at the centre of a road rage incident at Lake Munmorah on Monday has now been charged by police.

The 21-year-old Bianca Lee Sams is accused of throwing a packet of nails and a chisel at a vehicle which she claimed had been tailgating the car she was in on the Pacific Highway.

It's alleged a 41-year-old man in the other vehicle punched the woman in the face when they stopped at traffic lights.

The woman is due to face court on September 6 charged with malicious damage, being armed with intent to commit indictable offence, intentionally throw object at vehicle risk safety, part of body outside window - passenger and passenger seatbelt not fastened.

The 41-year-old man was charged on Wednesday in relation to the same incident.

Still Vision of Dashcam Footage of Alleged Incident  

Newcastle East End redevelopment plans now open to public

BY BROOKE HEINZ

Proposed redevelopment plans for Newcastle's East End are open for inspection over the next two days.

Developer Iris Capital has set up an information centre in the Hunter Street Mall, where locals can discuss plans for the four-stage development.

Plans for the East End redevelopment include the construction of retail space, over 200 residential dwellings, basement car parking, public art, and the repurposing of the former David Jones building.

There are also plans for a laneway connecting Wolfe Street and Perkins Street, leading to an urban plaza.

Source: Newcastle Herald

The information centre will be open until 7:30pm tonight, and from 8:30am to 1:30pm on Friday.

Claims Newcastle Council Finances Kept Hidden Labelled False

BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Labor councillors have hit back at claims the year-end financial results were deliberately kept hidden to avoid revealing the true state of the city's finances to ratepayers.

Independent Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliott made the startling claim yesterday, however Council's interim CEO, Jeremy Bath has since issued a statement saying the delay in releasing the results was a management decision supported by councillors to avoid presenting preliminary results which could be misleading.

Labor Councillor, Jason Dunn says there was nothing improper in delaying the final results.

"Council unanimously passed a resolution to put those financial details over til next month to ensure that the financials were actually complete and have all the year-end adjustments. So, what was said is very misleading and completely false," he said.

Jason Dunn

Police Investigate Suspicious Fire At Bobs Farm

BY IAN CROUCH

A fire which destroyed a vacant house at Bobs Farm this morning is being treated as suspicious.

Newcastle Fire Command received several calls to the single storey weatherboard and iron cottage on Nelson Bay Road just before 3.00am, arriving to find the house fully involved in fire.

Six crews took an hour to douse the flames.

It appears a pile of tyres had been set alight, leading police to believe the fire was the work of an arsonist.

Wallsend Mp Accused Of Electoral Breach

BY IAN CROUCH

Wallsend Mp, Sonia Hornery has vowed to clear her name after being charged with improperly gaining access to the electoral roll.

It's reported the Mp contacted the office of Charlestown Mp, Jodie Harrison and sought help from a staffer to obtain an address for a member of the public who'd criticised her stance on the Greyhound Racing ban on Twitter.

It's alleged she then wrote to the woman, who lived outside her electorate, about the issue, prompting a complaint from the individual.

Sonia Hornery is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on August 28 and says she will vigorously defend the charge.

Newcastle Independents call on Council to release June financial reports

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Lord Mayoral candidate for the Newcastle Independents, Kath Elliott, has today voiced her concerns over Monday night's meeting, where a presentation of Council's monthly finances was not made.

According to Ms Elliott, Council usually presents its monthly finances at the end of each subsequent month, however the June figures, which also represent Council's draft end of financial year numbers, were not provided on Monday night.

"The community did not see what has happened in the last financial year; those results were withheld, which is unprecedented," she says, "Those results would have shown what Council's surplus or deficit would have been, at the end of June 30."

Ms Elliott believes the Labor/Greens alliance may be deliberately withholding the information from the community.

"The Newcastle Independents suspect that we have a large surplus at the end of this year," she says, "that coincides with Mrs Nelmes and her Labor/Greens alliance giving us a 46.9% rate rise. If we're paying nearly half our rates again and there's a big surplus, one has to question- why can't Council spend it? Do they need that rate money? 

"I suspect that Mrs Nelmes and the alliance don't want us to know what that final figure looks like, and we're calling on her to release them now."

Around 15 matters were discussed at Monday night's Council meeting, including a motion to conduct a review into Newcastle's use of building cladding and a motion to explore the prospect of a micro music festival in the region.

Kath Elliott, mayoral candidate. 

Potential audit of cladding by Newcastle Council

BY MARISSA ALEXIOU

The tragedy of the Grenfell fire in London last month, claiming more than 80 lives has prompted Newcastle Council to consider an audit on the city's high rise buildings.

The consideration of an audit follows the admission the council may not have records of buildings with potentially defective cladding, thought to be responsible for the fire.

Councillors have passed a motion to assess the feasibility of an audit. A senate inquiry has heard as many as 2,000 buildings in NSW could have used the dangerous cladding.

However, the Property Council said it would come at a financial cost and may be unnecessary. 

Property Council of Australia's Hunter Director, Andrew Fletcher said to his understanding the cladding was only one of the systems that failed in the London tragedy. 

"Council officers methodically check all of the building materials, the buildings are fire rated, the level of engineering and the level of fire safety that goes into these buildings is world leading." 

Andrew Fletcher further said an audit would require external consultants and leave the rate payers of Newcastle with a "substantial bill". 

"The sort of thing we saw in London, which was an absolute tragedy, is highly unlikely to happen in Australia and certainly in Newcastle."

The Council believes the audit could come at a significant financial cost and may be unnecessary given Australia's high standards of buildings and fire safety.
Source: Property Council of Australia

Road Rage Victim Speaks Out

BY IAN CROUCH

The Newcastle woman who was punched in the face during a road rage incident at Lake Munmorah says the man who attacked her had been tail-gating the car she was in.

Bianca Lee Sams has admitted to throwing a packet of nails and a chisel at the man's car before he attacked her.

She was travelling with a friend and a young child

The 21-year old has told Channel Nine's A Current Affair they feared for their safety.

"We had to swerve off into near the guard rail and whatnot and we had to get away from him - that was it. He kept following us - kept trying to push us," she said.

Bianca Lee Sams Picture: Nine Network

Police say they no the identity of the man but are yet to speak to him.

Port Stephens Council Meeting Ends In Farce

BY IAN CROUCH

Last night's final meeting of Port Stephens Council before the September elections has ended only minutes after it started with two councillors storming out in disgust.

Councillors were handed a massive agenda of more than 900 pages to deal with before council goes into caretaker mode.

Councillors Geoff Dingle and Peter Kafer stormed out just 5 minutes into the meeting after a motion to deal with only essential items was defeated.

Geoff Dingle said the agenda was more than twice the size of any other council paper he had seen, leaving a lack of opportunity for consideration of decisions made.

With three other councillors absent, the meeting lacked a quorum and had to be abandoned.

However, Mayor Bruce MacKenzie believes there will be enough councillors available to reconvene the abandoned meeting next week.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie

UPDATE: Man Arrested After Marathon 16 Hour Siege At Carey Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

A 16-hour stand-off with police has ended with the arrest of a man on his boat in Carey Bay.

The 55-year-old was allegedly in possession of a number of weapons including knives, garden shears and spears as he threatened officers from the Marine Local Area Command who tried to arrest him yesterday morning at Toronto's Wharf Road Jetty.

He then set sail for Carey Bay and moored his yacht about 300 metres from shore, at one stage lighting a small fire on the vessel.

Specialist police boarded the yacht just after 3.00am on Wednesday and arrested him.

He's now being interviewed by detectives at Toronto Police Station.

Update:

Police have now charged a 55-year-old man over yesterday's stand-off at Lake Macquarie.

Officers from the Marine Local Area Command attempted to to speak with the man at the Toronto Wharf yesterday morning about an outstanding warrant. They were accompanied by officers from Roads and Maritime Services who wanted to decommission his yacht because it was not seaworthy.

It's alleged the man became agitated and started throwing items at the officers, forcing them to retreat and call for back-up. It's also alleged he attempted to fire flares at them before setting sail to Carey Bay where a stand-off developed.

Officers noticed the man attempting to move the yacht at about 3.00am today and fired a couple of so-called 'bean bag' rounds at the vessel (small sacks filled with sand designed to sting, not injure), prompting the man to jump into the water. He was arrested moments later.

He's now been charged in connection with the original warrant. He's also been charged with using an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, throw missile at officer executing duty and destroying or damaging property.

The man's been refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court this morning.

New CEO for Lake Macquarie Council

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lake Macquarie Council unanimously endorsed the appoint of Morven Cameron as the new CEO at last night's council meeting.

Ms Cameron is councils former Director of Community Development with more than 15 years of experience in local government.

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser said Morven was chosen in a competitive selection process from a high-calibre field of experienced candidates.

“She is a highly impressive talent known for her collaborative leadership style and I know firsthand just how passionate she is about ensuring we build on the solid foundation and momentum that Lake Macquarie has enjoyed in recent years.

“With her leadership and the hard working staff of Council, Lake Macquarie is in very good hands," Cr Fraser said. 

Council was very impressed with Morven’s vision, proven experience and achievements, together with her passion for local government and immeasurable understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing large, dynamic councils serving their local community.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms Cameron said, “It is an honour to have been selected to lead this progressive organisation and vibrant City. We have a very solid base on which to progress and move forward.

“I’m excited about what the future will bring when we all work together, and I thank the Mayor and Councillors, Council staff and the community for their support," Ms Cameron said.

The role will commence from Monday 28 August.

Councils new CEO Morven Cameron.

Construction on Hunter Street connection underway

BY BROOKE HEINZ

A new road designed to ease traffic caused by the construction of the Newcastle light rail is set to be completed "in the coming weeks", according to Revitalising Newcastle program director Michael Cassel.

Asphalt has been laid for the roadway, which links Honeysuckle Drive and Hunter Street at Worth Place.

While the Worth Place connection will temporarily close later this year to allow for light rail construction, once reopened the road will be a permanent link between the CBD and Honeysuckle.

A second, permanent connecting roadway at Steel Street will be constructed in 2018.

Interpretation plan to pay respect to 'The Store' past

BY JARROD MELMETH

Revitalising Newcastle say a move by the State Government to demolish 'The Store' building, to make way for a bus and coach terminal as part of the Newcastle Interchange project will pay respect to the history of the site.

Records illustrate the significance of the building which reflects an important aspect of the socio-economical system of the region, once standing as Newcastle's premier shopping destination until the 1960's.

News of the demolition has sparked a range of emotions from the wider community, with some saying developments like these happen way too often where buildings are left to stand bare for so long and then be deemed "structurally unsafe", torn down and, turned into the next revitalization venture.

Plans for the site include an interpretation plan which, according to program director Michael Cassel will aim to capture the essence of the sites former use.

"Interpretation plans really try to reflect the way in which a site was used and why there is such a connection. Historically it has been a place of gathering for the people of Newcastle, so we are trying to reflect that through different things like public art, story boards and information rather than just a plain facade, something that tells you a story so you can understand the importance of the site.

"We have come up with what we think is the best option," Mr Cassel said.

The decision has also been supported by the Hunter Business Chamber with Chamber President Jonathan Vandervoort applauding the next step being taken in the revitalisation of Newcastle.

"Back in 2015, the Chamber celebrated the State Government's acquisition of The Store building as a positive step forward to deliver an opportunity to add to the amenity of the current interchange design and provide a range of useful opportunities.

"Although The Store has been an important part of Newcastle West for many years, the Chamber notes the buildings are in poor condition and are a possible safety hazard in their current state," Mr

The Store as it stands today.

Newcastle Interchange under construction
at the rear of  'The Store'.

Man recovering in John Hunter after car roll over

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man is reportedly in the John Hunter Hospital with some nasty injuries after a single car roll over in Warnervale overnight.

At around 1:30 this morning, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Hue Hue Road where the 48-year-old was found trapped in the vehicle for around half an hour.

He was flown to hospital suffering head, chest and leg injuries - there are no details on his current condition.

Newcastle to Expect a Micro Music Festival?

By LAUREN KEMPE

Newcastle could be set to receive a number of Micro Music Festivals in the near future, with several funding grants now available.

The movement will be discussed at Tuesday night's council meeting, following encouragement from Create NSW for councils to work with businesses and musicians to support the community's artists.

Unlike a regular music festival, these Micro Festivals involve tying together a number of events at venues across the city, featuring a wide range of local talent.

Newcastle Labour Councillor, Declan Clausen says there has been overwhelming community support for the council to do more to promote arts and entertainment throughout Newcastle.

"The motion coming to council tonight is about starting a discussion with the city's partners and Create NSW in order to get some grant funding to get this kicked off within the current financial year.

I'm hopeful that if we're successful with the grants, this is something we'll be able to see come back time and time again."

Councillor Clausen believes the festivals will see positive impacts on the local economy and boost the local music scene.

"Undoubtedly, something like this would be really positive for Newcastle. It promotes out artists, sends a clear signal that Newcastle is right behind the live music scene and it's something we need to be cautious about protecting alongside new development and change in the city."

Image Credit: https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/no-fomo-a-music-festival-is-happening-in-parramatta

Road rage incident goes viral

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are on the hunt for a man who was involved in a violent road rage incident in Southern Lake Macquarie yesterday.

Dash cam footage uploaded to Dash Cam Owners Australia by Dwayne Pillidge last night shows a man get out of his car at a set of traffic lights on the Pacific Highway and calmly walk towards the woman who looks to cross her arms as he walks towards her.

The man is seen walking towards the woman.
Image captured from Dwayne Pillidge's dash cam footage.

The man suddenly swings and punches her in the head, then turns around and walk calmly back towards his car.

The woman also gets back into her car.

There were reports the woman had been tossing things from her window at his car, but Chief Inspector Colin Lott from Wyong Police Station says they haven't been given any formal information to that effect.

"We're calling on further information, there's much conjecture on people who are making comments on social media and are stating that there might have been some aggravating circumstances leading up to the event and we are aware of that but we've had no one give us formal information to that effect."

The footage went viral overnight sparking a police investigation.

The female victim came forward overnight and will reportedly make a formal statement today.

Chief Inspector Lott says these acts of road rage are just not on.

"As I stated before assaults of any sort are unacceptable and if anything happens on the road and that aggravates you, you do not take the matter into your hands, you certainly do not assault another person. The appropriate channel is if somebody does something wrong you ring the police and we will then deal with the matter and deal with the offender."

He calmly walks to his car after punching the woman.
Image captured from Dwayne Pillidge's dash cam footage.

Knights star recruit Rory Kostjaysn retires after horror training injury

BY JOSH SIM

Knights recruit Rory Kostjaysn today officially called quits on his time in the NRL after a horror training miss-hap in the pre-season led to a career ending injury.

The hooker received an accidental elbow to the throat from would-be understudy Dani Levi earlier in the year which, after numerous surgeries has led to a 40 per cent reduction in his aerobic capacity.

Kostjaysn admitted in his official announcement that he was disappointed to not play for the Knights, a team who followed as a junior growing up on the Central Coast. 

'A lot of times in my career I tried to get myself to the Knights, but for whatever reason it just wasn't the right time and it didn't happen,' said Kostjaysn.

'Now that I'm finally here, I won't get to pull on that red and blue jersey.'

A self-confessed 'average footballer', Kostjaysn was able to reflect on an impressive career that spanned across seven seasons since making his debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2010 and culminated in a World Cup appearance with Ireland in 2013 and a premiership with the Cowboys in 2015.

'I've been pretty fortunate to be able to have some above average highlights in my career,' said Kostjaysn.

The hooker, who played 126 games in the NRL admits he knew almost straight away that it was a career-ending injury.

'I knew two to three months ago that I was done, the specialist showed me that my airway was now almost 40 per cent smaller than what it was, I realised that it was going to be pretty difficult (to get back),'

Kostjaysn will turn to a coaching role with the club, with the Knights offering the 30 year-old the role of head coach with the Harold Matthews side, beginning next season.

'It's disappointing that I won't be playing footy (next year), but I'm very happy that I'll still be involved and very grateful to the Knights for their support for the next phase.'

Kostjaysn making the announcement at today's press conference. Image - Newcastle Knights Media.

Community programs making Australia better

BY JAMES WARD and JESSICA ROUSE

Local community programs in the Hunter and around the county are what help make Australia a stronger and nicer place to live, according to Lyne MP David Gillespie.

He's encouraging all local community groups to apply for the Federal Government's Stronger Communities Programme (SCP) with grants of up to $20,000 available for local groups to make their groups better and keep them going strong.

"It's for grants in each electorate for community groups that have nowhere else to turn for equipment upgrades and for other things for their voluntarily community based groups. Grants of $2,500 up to $20,000, it's a real life saver for community groups because they really value add and make our communities stronger," said David Gillespie.

Expressions of interest will be assessed by a community consultation group, which will be appointed by the Lyne MP.

"Community based organisations like Scouts, Lions, Rotary, all the self help groups, you name it. We want to support community groups that make Australia a stronger and nicer place to live."

Applications are open and for more details head to:
http://www.davidgillespie.com.au/stronger-communities-programme/ 

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie, Maria Kealy,
Pauline Wespi Image supplied.

The ups and down of the Gateshead mobile phone tower

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A controversial mobile phone tower at Gateshead was going ahead, then the land owner backed out of the lease to the happiness of residents, but now it seems to have been for naught with Lake Macquarie Council voting to go ahead with it.

Despite concerns from residents, councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the 37 metre high tower proposed for the Bulls Garden Road last night.

Nearby Whitebridge residents say the tower will be ugly and pose a health risk.

It's expected to improve mobile phone coverage for Vodafone and Optus customers in the area.

Image abc.net.au

Investigations continue after fatal accident on Industrial Drive

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Crash Investigation Unit officers have commenced an investigation into the circumstances which led to the tragic death of a woman in a two-car accident on Industrial Drive yesterday morning.

Just before 11:30am (Monday 24th July 2017), emergency services were called to the corner of Industrial Drive and Tourle Street Mayfield after reports a Holden Astra and a Ford Territory had collided.

The driver of the Holden, a 66-year-old man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition and his passenger, a woman in her 60s from Medowie, died at the scene.

The driver of the Ford, a 31-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition. He underwent mandatory blood and urine testing.

Initial investigations suggest the Holden was turning right from Industrial Drive onto Tourle Street at about 11:30 yesterday morning when it was struck by the Ford.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Man Arrested After Pursuit At Shortland

BY IAN CROUCH

A Merewether man is facing serious driving charges after a pursuit at Shortland this morning.

Police say they noticed a Mitsubishi Magna being driven erratically near Heaton Street, Jesmond just before 2.30 and attempted to pull the car over, but the driver took off - heading up the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at a speed well in excess of the 90 kilometre per hour limit.

The car stopped at the at the Maitland Road lights and the 46-year-old driver was arrested.

He's expected to be charged with driving while disqualified and police pursuit (Skye's law).

One woman killed in fatal car accident on Industrial Drive

BY MICHAEL COOK

Police have confirmed one woman has tragically died in a two-car accident on Industrial Drive just before 11:30 this morning.

A 66-year-old Medowie man from the same vehicle has been taken to John Hunter Hospital after being trapped for a short period of time.

The second vehicle contained a 31-year-old male who has suffered serious injuries and has been taken to John Hunter as well.

Industrial Drive eastbound lanes remain completely closed as well as one westbound lane. Motorists heading to Newcastle are advised to use the Pacific Highway while traffic coming from Stockton and Nelson Bay should use Tomago Road.

Emergency services, police crash investigators and traffic incident response crews currently remain on the site.

Both drivers will undergo mandatory blood and urine testing in line with the legislation.

Scene of the accident on Industrial Drive. Image https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFd-nhbXgAAV7ZQ.jpg:large

One of Australia's richest men getting transport ideas off the ground in the Hunter Valley

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's been a plan in the making for some time, but hotel magnate Jerry Schwartz is finally getting his plans off the ground for a sea plane service in the Hunter.

The new sea plan service Blue Sky Airways is set to launch in August and will see a sea plane operate between Sydney Harbour to Newcastle harbour and out to Cessnock airport. An amphibious float fitted to the plan will allow it to land on both water and land.

Not only is he establishing the sea plane service, but in the next couple of weeks a shuttle bus service will start up between Newcastle airport and the CBD and out to the Hunter Valley.

Jerry Schwartz Image hotelmanagement.com.au

"Newcastle has its own airport but there's the same problem of getting from Newcastle airport to Newcastle city which is about a 35-minute drive and to the Hunter region so in the next week or so we will be starting a regular bus service that goes at the same time every day and connects these three centres," said Jerry Schwartz.

Jerry is one of the richest men in Australia and says there was a definite gap in the market for quicker and easier travel between Sydney and the Hunter, and he's filling it.

"The only way you can get there (Hunter Valley) is by car and that takes you about two and a half hours each way, so for the larger conferences we have we find that it's a definite impendence that distance and the ability to get there, so this is our first opportunity to connect the centres by air."

He adds his two transport ideas are something government should have looked into, and since they haven't he's decided to take the opportunity.

"One would've hoped the government would've done that most basically by having a train service to the Hunter, but there's no train service to the Hunter, you can't even catch the train to Newcastle, then the question is how do you get from the train station to your hotel in the Hunter? That's the big gap that I hope I'm able to fulfil by having a regular bus service," said Jerry.

A Weekend of Vandalism Across the Hunter

BY TYLER FARDELL

Two separate acts of hateful and malicious vandalism in the Hunter over the weekend has resulted in community uproar on social media and has prompted calls from Hunter politicians for more to be done.

On Saturday, local sports players and onlookers at Federal Park in Wallsend were paid a rude visit by a motorbike rider who rode across the fields through the middle of games being played.

It's not the first time an incident like this has occurred, with sports fields becoming a prime target for vandals on motorbikes.

State member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery expressed her disappointment over the incident, saying the actions of one reckless individual affects the community.

"And the damage to our playing field costs Newcastle Council and the community a lot of money to repair, because of the immaturity of some people who think this kind of behaviour is acceptable", she said.

"It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt".

Ms Hornery has called upon the government to station police at these sporting events as a deterrent, with another, more expensive option being the installation of fences at every sports-ground.

"I'm hoping it doesn't get to a point where we need fencing on every field, that will end up costing the community a lot of money".

An earlier instance of the field in Wallsend being targeted by Vandals
 Photo Source; Newcastle Herald

Meanwhile, families in Telerah awoke on Saturday morning to discover 'very crude' graffiti along South street.

It's another instance of the community suffering on the behalf of a few, with works to remove the offensive graffiti using taxpayers money.

Newcastle Independents running for election

BY JAMES WARD

The Newcastle Independents have formed to contest the Newcastle City Council election on September 9th.

The group will field candidates who are against the Labor/Greens rate rise of 46.9% and also want to see an end to party politics that have caused problems for Council in recent years.

Lord Mayoral candidate, Kath Elliot, says the group have considered running for some time after witnessing the dysfunction in the council room.

"It's really important to take party politics out of local government so that the people that are in council making decisions are making them based on what the community wants and not based on what a political party might see as furthering their own agenda," Elliot said.

A local businesswoman, Kath Elliot will run for Lord Mayor as she has experience in Newcastle civic life.

" The local independents want to speak to the community and we are already out there talking to the community and asking them what they are concerned about and what their views are and also listening to people and understanding what is important to them, I think that is a very important part of Council."

Also in the Maitland local election, 41-year-olds, Todd Holden and Ben Quinn have joined the election race.

The two local men have joined Brian Burke's campaign and they aim to bring fresh ideas to the Council coming from a younger generation.

Source: Newcastle City Council

Police on the hunt for a man who robbed a taxi driver in Raymond Terrace

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are still on the hunt for a man who held up a taxi driver in Raymond Terrace last week.

Just after 6pm last Saturday (15th July 2017) a 33-year-old taxi driver collected a man on Maitland Road in Mayfield.

The taxi got as far as Morgan Crescent in Raymond Terrace when the man allegedly pulled out a knife and held it to the taxi driver's throat and demanded cash.

The driver gave the man cash and he then left.

The man was last seen running in a westerly direction along Morgan Street and is described as being aged in his 30s, approximately 177cm tall, of medium build with a beard and a tattoo on the right side of his neck.

Anyone with any information is being urged to contact officers at Raymond Terrace Police Station as investigations continue.

Police want to speak with this man.

A woman survives terrifying fall in Watagan Mountains.

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A woman has survived a terrifying fall in the Watagan Mountains over the weekend.

There were reports the woman had been rock climbing when she fell but it's now understood the 46-year-old had been camping in the area and was walking through the bush when she slipped and fell 10 metres suffering serious injuries.

She was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before she was carried out by the Police Rescue Squad to a waiting 4-wheel drive ambulance before she was airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a serious but stable condition to the John Hunter Hospital.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter on the scene.

Family lucky to escape after fire engulfed their home in Belmont

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A family has been lucky to escape their home in Belmont North overnight when it was engulfed by fire.

Just after 10:30pm fire crews from Belmont and Tingira Heights arrived to find a fire which started in the garage and spread to the roof of the home in Bimbadeen Close.

Fire caused extensive damage to the home.

Police say while they're not treating the fire as suspicious, crime scene investigators will return later this morning to determine how it started.

Hazardous Surf Warning This Weekend.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Today the Bureau of Meteorology has launched the Hazardous Surf Warning service to alert the public on dangerous conditions for rock fishing, boating and swimming.

People in the Hunter are being advised to be extra careful and to check out this new service before heading to coastal waters, particularly with over a dozen people have been killed rock fishing around Catherine Hill Bay in recent years.

The alerts and updates will help reduce rock fishing injuries and deaths as up to 90 percent of people are influenced to change their plans.

Manager of Weather Services for NSW Jane Golding says this service will provide important information for people.

"This stand alone product ties in some safety advice, some precautions people can take if they're planning water activities and some very clear advice from the NSW Police and the marine area command section."

Also today, the Bureau of Meteorology has released a hazardous surf warning, asking the public to be cautious this weekend around coastal waters.

Senior Forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Jake Philips warns the public to be safe around the coast over the next few days.

"At the current time we do in fact have a hazardous surf warning and this is the first time this has officially been issued as a warning product. It does cover the entire NSW coast and that's for today and tomorrow as well.

"If you're going out along or near the coast, just be very wary of those conditions in the next couple of days."

Mr Phillips also expressed there are plenty of other ways to check for dangerous conditions.

"The best way is to find out on our website www.bom.gov.au under the warnings section. If a hazardous surf warning is current, it'll be listed with the areas affected. But it's also listed on other forecasts such as any town forecasts along the coast and also district forecasts as well."

NeW Space Open Day tomorrow

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The University of Newcastle's NeW Space Building certainly stands out in the CBD from the outside, and tomorrow you can go and see how unique it is on the inside as well.

Image supplied UoN

An open day will be on tomorrow from 10am 'til 2pm with the university hosting information sessions, a pop up law clinic, student showcases from the School of Creative Industries and architects and builders will be there to explain why the building looks the way it does.

Business and Law Faculty Manager Kate Ramzen-Levy loves the new building and says not only are the views phenomenal but the learning spaces are great as well.

"We also have the builders who will be presenting on what was the inspiration for NeW Space. I think the building is a bit of an icon for the CBD of Newcastle and its got such a nod to all of its surroundings so there are some fantastic sightlines to city hall to the harbour foreshore and also back to Callaghan."

Staff have already been working in the building for a couple of weeks and students will start learning there from next week at the beginning of Semester Two. Kate says the learning experience students will get won't be better than the experience on Callaghan, it will be different - a very good different.

"I think that it's very accessible to the public, it opened to the public this week, we've seen a lot of members of the public and students wandering  through and taking advantage of the fantastic views across the city. But I do think it's going to have a really important place into the CBD of Newcastle," said Kate.

Councillor Bob Geoghegan running for Maitland Mayor

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

With a local election looming in September, Maitland Councillor Bob Geoghegan is today announcing plans to nominate for Mayor of Maitland City Council.

As the endorsed Liberal Party candidate, Councillor Geoghegan is seeking the top position on Council. Citing years of experience with state government, he believes he has the strong working relationships and knowledge of community issues to fulfil the role of Maitland Mayor.

"I think I've got the right combination of energy, and experience, and passion and respect that's needed to be the Mayor of Maitland and to keep the city progressing as it has," he said.

If elected, Bob Geoghegan says there's a number of key issues he'd like to focus on including traffic congestion on the New England Highway, Testers Hollow Flooding and the new Metford Hospital.

"But the one that I've identified initially is the issue of value for money and the cost of living for people. I think the next Council has to be very aware of that and make sure that we get very good value for the ratepayer's money."

He says he hopes he and his team, which will be announced in the coming weeks, have a good chance of being elected.

"I think that's the challenge for me is to convince people that the best result for Maitland would be if I was Mayor. There will be a team announced in the coming week and they are very good candidates and I'm hoping that they will also be elected and they will support me."

Councillor Bob Geoghegan [Image: Maitland Mercury]

Mother's murder trial continues

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The trial continues for the Scone woman accused of killing her toddler 16 years ago.

The court heard she told a family friend she sacrificed the child to the Wolf Man. She allegedly said the wolf man was after her and she was searching for the "chosen one" to give her a baby girl.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is accused of killing her 16-month-old daughter sometime between Christmas 2000 and Christmas 2001.

Previously the court heard the woman told a Red Cross worker the girl was in a better place and told others she was living with another family in an informal adoption arrangement.

She has told varying accounts of the girl's whereabouts over the years but never said exactly where she was.

The woman has a long history of mental illness.

Newcastle Supreme Court Image abc.net.au

Achoo! Worst flu month on record

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Health Walt Secord has renewed his criticism of the Berejiklian Government after a massive jump in the number of flu cases in the Hunter and across the state.

We are just over half way through July, and already there's been more than 350 reported cases of influenza this month in the Hunter's hospitals and across the state there been a record4,085 reported cases to the official database for NSW Influenza notifications.

Walt Secord says the government were unprepared for the huge spike in influenza cases which he says has led to an increase in the number of "bed block" incidents.

"So you have a situation where patients wait at every stage, they wait for an ambulance, they wait for the emergency department and then they wait for a bed. Sadly the Berejiklian government has been caught unprepared for the flu season - we're on track to have one of the worst years on record for flu."

The flu season is smashing regional hospitals, particularly The Calvary Mater Hospital.

"Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle is one of the three hospitals that have been cited as being under enormous pressure so again Newcastle is also feeling the brunt of this flu season," said Walt Secord.

He adds while it may be too late for the government to do anything about it this flu season, there are things we can do ourselves.

"You can still get your flu shot - if you're feeling well you can get your flu shot. I had my flu shot in April and I haven't missed a moment of work so again there's still time to get your flu shot. August is usually seen as the high month, the worst time of the year so there's still time."

Drunk Hamilton man crashed into cars at Belmont North

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A man will face court after he allegedly crashed into a parked car at Belmont North while drunk last night before speeding off.

The 33-year-old Hamilton man reportedly crashed into the car on the Pacific Highway but took off when the owner confronted him going through a red light.

He was pulled over at Pelican where it's alleged he returned a high range blood alcohol reading.

Officers suspended his licence on the spot.